Colorizing black and white image

I would like to know what is the more reasonable method in colorizing a black and white photo. First, Quick Mask vs Lasso Tools, for example when coloring the face or clothing of a person. Second, Hue Saturation Lightness vs Color Balance, which one of these would be more realistic for colorizing a photo. I know everyone have a different method when colorizing a photo, I'm just looking for the more realistic method. I would like to stick to a certain method and perfect it. Thanks.

I have have recently been playing around with doing just that, so here is my two cents.

<<First, Quick Mask vs Lasso Tools, for example when coloring the face or clothing of a person. >>

I use a full mask. Here is my work flow

1) decide what I want to color and the color to use (i don't sweat getting the color exactly right at this point. Just close)

2) I add either a "fill layer" with my chosen color or a "gradient map layer" with darker and lighter version of that color (I don't have a rule for when to use which... still trial and error for me - maybe someone has an idea on that). Set layer blending more to "color".

3) Add a "hide all" mask and then paint back the part I am working on

Now I have an easy way to tweak the color - just click the fill layer and adjust the color. Sometimes the "overlay" or "soft light" blending modes give a better result than "color". Again seeing what looks better is just a couple of clicks.

When most of the big parts are done I add a blank layer set to "color" and paint in some little details that I don't have patience to mask.

I'm attaching a two b/w photos that i combined and colored using the above method.

Hi! Airdale, great colorizing of those pictures, especially putting the little girl between with them. I had never use a gradient for colorizing a picture before, as a matter of fact, I don't know how. Can you explain how to use a gradient to color a black and white photo. I'll try and use some of your methods. Thanks for the tips. Kraellin thanks for thread on colorizing a black and white.